Literary notes about Epigraph (AI summary)
In literature, an epigraph is a brief inscription or quotation strategically placed to open a work, offering insight into its themes or setting its tone. It can serve multiple functions, from dedicatory remarks, as in the inscription honoring Francesco Calceolari [1], to a thematic beacon that encapsulates the work's spirit, like the classical Latin motto presented in [2] or the evocative line drawn from Horace in [3]. In some instances, the epigraph establishes a cultural or historical reference that enriches the reader's engagement with the text, much as the inscription on coins emphasizes symbolic meaning [4], while in others it even provides a subtle commentary on the narrative’s unfolding ideas [5]. This concise, often poignant element thus invites readers to reflect on the deeper layers of meaning before the main narrative begins.